Students suspended after alleged prostitution in high school bathroom

Students and parents called it prostitution on campus during school hours on Monday, but Shelby County Schools says that may not be entirely accurate. (Photo Source: WMC Action News 5)

SHELBY COUNTY, TN (WMC) - Several students are at home, suspended from Bolton High School after an alleged prostitution incident.

Students and parents called it prostitution on campus during school hours on Monday, but Shelby County Schools says that may not be entirely accurate.

SCS officials say administrators are in the early stages of an investigation into what they are calling "allegations of inappropriate behavior."

A Bolton High student, whose identity WMC Action News 5 is protecting, says notes and just passing the word around is how a 14-year-old, ninth grade Bolton student let male students know she would be offering sex. He said it usually happened during lunch in the boys' bathroom.

The student said sometimes she charged for the sex and sometimes she didn't. He says he didn't take her up on her offer, but she didn't seem upset about it.

"There was like a line 10 people almost every day," he said. "She just turning around at me in class always smiling at me ... There's something wrong with her, and I hate it."

The student said it started at the beginning of the year. Teachers didn't seem to be aware he says.

Deborah Clubb, head of the Memphis Area Women's Council, says the girl's behavior is an indication of a serious problem, maybe even abuse.